A historic visit in every respect Mr. Egon Klepsch, President of the European Parliament, arrived in democratic Albania. THE VISIT OF THIS HIGH-RANKING PERSONALITY AND FRIEND OF SOCIETY IS ANOTHER VICTORY FOR THE NEW ALBANIAN DEMOCRACY.

Yesterday, Dr. Egon Klepsch, President of the European Parliament, arrived in our country. Undoubtedly, this is an event that will be recorded in the history of our democracy; it is a clear and highly expressive affirmation of the complete openness of Democratic Albania, of its determination and consistency in fully integrating into modern, democratic Europe, and of Europe’s attention, seriousness, goodwill and willingness to accept our country into the great European family. The dimensions of this visit become clear when we first consider the standing of Dr. Egon Klepsch. He belongs to the select and most distinguished elite of European politicians of the last four decades. He has distinguished himself as a politician of indisputable stature, not only in his homeland, Germany, but also on the broad stage of European and world politics. He has put his long and rich political experience and his profound, original theoretical thought into practice in numerous works and studies, which have fully established his credentials as a genuine scholar and scientist as well. … In a short period of time, within a year, Democratic Albania has been regarded as a model for other Eastern European countries for its faster and more sustained progress, and for its political, economic and social stability. Naturally, Mr. Klepsch has also come to bring us the message that the European Parliament, despite any possible friendly remarks, has full confidence in the quality and seriousness of the Democratic Government. It will continue to provide Albania with growing, comprehensive support and assistance, and will create every opportunity and facility to help it pass through the transition phase in the shortest possible time and with the least possible hardship, so that it can integrate as quickly and as honourably as possible into modern Europe. The significance of this message is broadened and enhanced if we bear in mind that Mr. Klepsch brings it not only with the authority of the office he holds and the high institution he represents, but also as a sincere and steadfast friend of our people and of Democratic Albania. He has expressed his goodwill toward our country, people and Government on many occasions. The importance of Mr. Klepsch’s visit to our country becomes even clearer when we consider the extremely tense and dangerous situation in the Balkans. The new war in Bosnia, which seems like an endless agony for this innocent, martyred people, is a great test and challenge for the UN, the European Parliament, the CSCE, etc. Its flames, fanned by the hand of the barbarous generals, the masters of Belgrade, could ignite other wars in Kosovo, Macedonia, perhaps even Albania. These flames are also being stoked with all their might by chauvinist bishops, generals and government officials in Athens. The religious-governmental axis or alliance of Belgrade–Athens is very evident, highly aggressive and dangerous not only for our country and the other countries of the region, but also beyond, across the entire continent, because it is well known that Balkan wars have historically been forerunners of world wars. Of course, we do not want this, and neither does Europe, which for decades has aspired and struggled to build a united, democratic Europe not only in formal and legal terms, but also in concrete and active ways, extending its borders, eliminating blocs and removing the dangers of military confrontation between them. During his visit to our country, Mr. Klepsch will be able to see for himself that Democratic Albania, despite its many national problems and many losses, is seriously and resolutely committed to respecting and fulfilling all the obligations arising from the embargo against Serbia, and that our country is a factor for peace and stability in the region. This is also a very good opportunity for us to show Mr. Klepsch and convince him that the worsening of political and interstate relations with neighbouring Greece has been provoked and desired by chauvinist, religious Orthodox circles and the Greek Government. Little Albania has never, in all its history, attacked its neighbours. On the contrary, they have attacked it, carrying out massive, inhuman massacres and seizing more than half of its ethnic lands. During his stay in Albania, Mr. Klepsch will also have the opportunity to be convinced of the absurdity and falsity of the statements and accusations made by Mr. Micotaqis and the government he represents concerning the mistreatment or discrimination of, and violations of the rights of, the Greek minority in Albania. Contrary to the claims spread by Greek missionaries or advocates in the European Parliament, he will have the chance to see that the Greek minority… has been and continues to be among the best treated in Europe, and enjoys far more rights and freedoms than, for example, the Turkish minority in Greece, which is advertised on international platforms as a champion of minority rights. Mr. Klepsch’s visit to our country these days is of historic importance to us in every respect. It will undoubtedly give fresh impetus and a powerful boost to our titanic struggle and efforts to heal as soon as possible the deep, unhealed wounds of Enverian socialism, and to walk on our own feet along the long, proven road toward comprehensive integration into the great European family. And for all this, with all our hearts and with a pure soul, we say to Mr. Klepsch: Welcome to Albania! him as a genuine scholar and scientist in political science, international relations and defence policy. In recognition of all these merits, Dr. Egon Klepsch was elected to the high office of President of the European Parliament on 14 January 1992. His arrival in Albania is also historic in terms of its timing for our country and region. Mr. Klepsch has come to our country a little more than a year after it became democratic, at a time when we have taken great steps forward in carrying out economic reform, moving to a market economy, and achieving full integration into European and global political and economic structures—steps that have brought tangible, substantial and highly promising results for a more prosperous future. Building on these satisfactory achievements, made within a very short period, [text unclear] has full confidence in the progress and seriousness of the Democratic Government and will continue to provide Albania with increasing, comprehensive support and assistance. It through the transition hardship. [Text in source is damaged and disordered.] His goodwill toward our country, people and Government has been expressed our country becomes even clearer when we also consider the situation at this time, and at other times, in Albania, and the people and Democratic Government. These flames are also being fanned by other voices: chauvinist bishops, generals and government officials, entrenched very evident, highly aggressive, and [text unclear] other fires in Kosovo, Macedonia, perhaps even Albania.

Meeting of Mr. Eduard Selami, Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali and Minister of Health Tritan Shehu with residents of the area Respect and gratitude, and a mutual willingness to share one another’s concerns: in this spirit, a meeting began with residents of Ostren, attended by hundreds of people, and the chairman of the DP, Mr. Eduard Selami, the Minister of Defence and the area’s MP, Mr. Safet Zhulali, and the Minister of Health, Mr. Tritan Shehu. This atmosphere had been disturbed by the chairman of the Bulqizë SP, Sami Cara, with one of his chairs, posing as a village messenger, with a sheet of the newspaper “ZP” tucked under his arm and acting as a purveyor of slogans against the DP and the Democratic Government, while the villagers themselves refuted this claim. But he had overstepped his bounds, and the disguised chairman had come to the wrong door: democratic Ostren, which in the two free elections voted 93 percent in favour of the DP. LET US SUPPORT THE CURRENT TREND “I came to your village with great pleasure,” Mr. Selami began, “and thought we should exchange views and talk about the problems and concerns we can help you with. I am sure that all of us—you who are here—agree with the view that no government and no parliament can easily solve all the problems and difficulties. Nevertheless, it is clear that we must resolve as soon as possible the problems, shortcomings or mistakes left to us by the state, so that we can create the necessary room and put things on the right track. Your area has a particular character. One feels the difficulty facing a region that is relatively isolated because of its distance from the rest of Albania. It is not easy to live here; there is a need. Their dynamism is indeed evident here too, and the explanation is simple: it is connected to two forms of organisation; the initiative chosen and adopted by the DP has borne fruit. This initiative is not merely an explanation; it is a choice based on the experience humanity has given us, having tried both systems, in which free initiatives have ensured a decisive advantage in everyday life. That is why the market economy has begun to take its first steps and show its first signs of progress. I believe this is the best option for all Albanians.” “Our political responsibility as well,” Mr. Selami went on to stress, “is to follow this difficult path, to support the current trend in the life of the country and to understand the historic moment in which Albania now finds itself. In this context, the escalating political struggle harms everyone. First and foremost, Albania’s economy is in a difficult position today, and it is difficult for us to tolerate demands and actions that run counter to the interests of democracy. We agree that we should be more tolerant, but we cannot tolerate a breakaway on the second day after coming to power, nor can we tolerate statements of this kind that are against the national interest, such as the one by the SP with Greece’s PASOK, which calls Kosovo’s existence into question and leaves the Milosevics free to act. We also cannot tolerate…” (Continued on page 3)

On Monday morning, at the headquarters of the Albanian Democratic Party, the chairman of the ADP, Mr. Eduard Selami, received a delegation from the party “Albanian National Democratic Union”: the diaspora branch, based in Denzdorf, Germany, chaired by Mr. Emil Faslia; the Kosovo branch, based in Prishtina, chaired by Mr. Ramadan Reshn; and the Albania branch, based in Tirana, chaired by Mr. Besim Doçi. Mr. Selami, thanking them for the visit, stressed that meetings of this kind are necessary for consultations on joint steps in national politics. “I am pleased,” Mr. Selami continued, “that you express your appreciation for the ADP’s vision for resolving the national question. For the first time, there is coordination in national policy, and it is being felt. This will undoubtedly prepare the way for closer and more effective cooperation. We believe that the first step in the national question… We are indignant,” they stressed, “at the deliberate disinformation spread in the diaspora by the National Unity Party and its leader, Mr. Idajet Beqiri.” They informed Mr. Selami of their efforts in the service of the national question. “We have seen at first hand the development of democratic processes in Albania, and we unreservedly support the Democratic Party, the Government and President Berisha, and your continuing efforts in the direction…”

Egon Klepsch holds doctorates in history, political science and geography. He published his doctoral thesis (1955) on “German Policy toward Russia during the tenure of Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann.” He is also the author of many publications on European affairs, political science, international relations and defence policy. Among them, let us recall his doctoral thesis: - “COMMUNISM IN GERMANY” 1964 - “Conditions of Service in the Armed Forces,” Assembly of the Western European Union, Doc. 650, 17 November 1974. - “The European Member of Parliament,” a guide to the first elections under the electoral law, Klepsch/Reiser, NOMOS-Verlag, 1978 - “The Programme for Europe,” published in “The European Journal,” Klepsch/Bangemann/Biber/Seefeld, Europe-Union-Verlag, 1978 - “The Merger of Political Parties at the European Level,” published in “Im Dienst für die Freiheit,” WACHOLZ-Verlag, 1984 - “The European Member of Parliament,” Klepsch/Wangenmann/Webber/Biber, NOMOS-Velag, 1984 - “Problems and Prospects of European Unification,” 1986 - “The Crisis of the European Community—a Challenge for the European Parliament,” 1986 - “Aufbruchstimmung in Europe - Unsere Zukunft,” 1989 - “Economic Cooperation between the European Community and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance” - “A Path to the Unification of Europe,” published in Marienberger Arbeiterhefte, No. 5, 1990 - “Economic Cooperation with Countries with State-Controlled Trade,” published by the Economic Institute of the University of Cologne; and - “The Voices of the World in the European Parliament.”